Wang Jinhai

Wang Jinhai (1398-1421) was an Admiral of the Ming Empire's treasure fleet and nephew of Emperor Yongle. In 1421 he and his treasure fleet went off course to the Americas and he was killed after proclaiming himself the God of the Aztec Empire.

Biography
Jinhai was born into power as the nephew of the newly risen Emperor of the Middle Kingdom (China), Zhu Di. This placed him in a position of unique importance. At the time of Jinhai's birth, Zhu Di was warring against his other, older nephew for control of the Chinese throne. This combination family dispute and power struggle ended in 1402, when Zhu Di and his armies marched on his nephew's city and ended the man's short reign as emperor. To avoid any more challenges for power from within his own family, the newly crowned Zhu Di provided his new infant nephew, with everything he could ever want. From a tender age, nothing was ever denied him.

This privilege eventually led to numerous honorary military positions that were not benefitting Jinhai's age or experience. Such constant pampering had left Jinhai with strong delusions of importance, and an infalated sense of self-worth. In 1421, after having  only  traveled on two earlier voyages as a captain, Jinhai was elevated to the rank of Admiral and placed in command of one Zheng He's treasure fleets, along with other more qualified admirals, such as Hong Boa, Zhou Wen, and Yang Qing. Jinhai saw this as a great opportunity to pursue his own interests and get out from under his uncle's control.

Jinhai defended his fleet from Wakou Pirates that attacked the fleet at Longjiang Shipyards, but the real leader of the battle was Captain Jian Huang, who was the leader of the army and the one who was close to the peasant workers. Eventually the fleet left for Kozhikode (Calcutta), where Jinhai arranged an ambush with the Zamorin against Huang and his allies, but Jinhai was "rescued" from their captivity and the Zamorin and his army were destroyed. Jinhai continued his plot against Huang and his annoying peasant crew, steering the treasure fleet off course to the Americas, where they were stranded by a storm. Huang rescued the two stranded ships as Jinhai waited at the main ship in case Huang needed reinforcements, but Jinhai disappeared upon Huang's return.